“The spikes are solely to protect the cars, there is no other reason,” an anonymous local told the Bristol Post. “There is a big problem with bird droppings around here. They can really make a mess of cars, and for some reason they [the birds] do seem to congregate around this area.”

The resident added that there are other trees nearby for birds to nest in, and that the locals tried other methods to scare them off, like adding a “wooden bird of prey in the branches” ― but it didn’t work.

Anti-bird spikes are typically used to deter birds from landing on building ledges, windowsills and gutters.

But critics say putting the spikes on trees — which birds naturally perch on — to prevent them from defecating in a specific area is a pretty crappy move.

Our war on wildlife: now birds are not allowed in trees...?! Pigeon spikes spotted in Clifton, Bristol above a car park. Has anyone seen this before? How is it allowed?!📷: thanks to Anna Francis pic.twitter.com/NuG9WvYBMj